Manchester United have been linked with a move for the Everton midfielder who left Old Trafford back in 2022Garner during Everton’s win over Manchester United (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Manchester United have been linked with a move for their former midfielder James Garner in the January transfer window.

The Red Devils were interested in a number of playmakers in the summer but were unable to add to their current options. Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson are both on the Red Devils’ radar.

According to the MailOnline, Garner is another option. The 24-year-old made the switch from United to Everton in 2022 and has established himself as a regular for the Merseyside club this season.

The likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle have been linked with a possible approach for Garner, who has also played at right-back and left-back at times this season for the Blues.

Garner’s current Everton contract is set to expire at the end of this campaign, although the deal includes an option to extend by a further year.

The player was asked about his future recently and while Everton are trying to tie him down to fresh terms, he gave no indication that an agreement was close.

“I haven’t thought much about it, no,” he said after the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on December 13, per the ECHO. “I am just touching in week in, week out.

“You cant really think too far ahead, so week in, week out, I am just trying to get better as a player and try and help the team as much as I can.

“We have come on leaps and bounds since I first joined the club, so we are definitely moving in the right direction.”

Everton manager David Moyes has also made it clear how much he values Garner and wants to keep him at the club.

“Look, I wouldn’t be letting [Garner] go and I think the Club will do everything they can to make sure that he stays,” added Moyes. “It’s probably a bit of a difference and shows signs [of progression] because I’m not sure many clubs have been after many Everton players in the past but now they’re maybe starting to take a bit of interest, which is a good sign.

“Hopefully he signs a new contract when the time comes but at the end of the season hes got an option [of an extra year extension] as well so, obviously, well be on that, if we need to be.”

If Everton don’t trigger the extension before January 1 then Garner could feasibly agree a pre-contract with a team from overseas with a view to moving on a free transfer in the summer.